BIR official survives ambush; driver slain

MANILA, Philippines —  An official of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) survived while his driver was killed after they were ambushed by unidentified men in Quezon City on Tuesday afternoon.

The shooting occurred in Barangay Santol at around 5:30 p.m., police investigators said.

The official, with the rank of revenue officer IV and assigned in Quezon City, was in a Toyota Fortuner sport utility vehicle (SUV) when they were attacked at the corner of Gregorio Araneta Avenue and Bayani street.

Probers said two men on a motorcycle were involved in the attack. The back rider, who was armed with a handgun of unknown caliber, opened fire at the vehicle.

The BIR official managed to jump out of the SUV while his driver, 29-year-old Arvin Lacuesta, was hit by bullets.

The suspects then sped off toward an unknown destination. The BIR official sought assistance from bystanders, who contacted a rescue ambulance that brought Lacuesta to the East Avenue Medical Center.

Despite efforts by physicians, Lacuesta succumbed to his injuries at around 7:25 p.m.

Probers recovered five bullet casings, a fired cartridge case and a cartridge at the scene of the shooting.

The Quezon City Police District has yet to issue a statement on the shooting as of yesterday afternoon.